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Florida Doghobble Agarista populifolia

Previously known as:

  • Leucothoe populifolia
Phonetic Spelling
ah-gah-RIS-tah pop-yoo-lih-FOL-ee-ah
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Florida Doghobble is an evergreen shrub that grows to 12 feet tall. This plant tends to sucker and can be used for stabilization along moist, shady, stream banks. It is useful as a foundation plant or understory plant in a woodland setting. It can be maintained at any height with proper pruning. Upright stems with irregular branching, copper-red new growth turns to glossy green; the hardiest leucothoe; can be severely pruned to control height.  The Florida doghobble prefers partial shade but tolerates sun with adequate moisture. It grows best in cool, moist, acidic, highly organic soil. Blooms mid-Spring to early Summer. Useful as a foundation plant or understory plant in woodland setting. Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Juvenile leaves reportedly used as salad greens,

HIGHLY TOXIC IF EATEN! 

Often sold in trade misidentified as Leucothoe axillaris or under synonym Leucothoe populifolia. 

 

Seasons of Interest: 

  Leaf:    Year-round              Blooms:   Spring           Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Fall

Quick ID Hints:

  • LEAVES glossy, deep green, lanceolate 2-3" long
  • FLOWERS white, urceolate, fragrant, below foliage
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Tyler's Treasure'
'Tyler's Treasure'
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#poisonous#nectar plant#native shrub#cover plant#year-round interest#NC native#native garden#pollinator plant#fantz#nesting sites#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#Audubon#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Tyler's Treasure'
'Tyler's Treasure'
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#poisonous#nectar plant#native shrub#cover plant#year-round interest#NC native#native garden#pollinator plant#fantz#nesting sites#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#Audubon#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Agarista
    Species:
    populifolia
    Family:
    Ericaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern USA
    Wildlife Value:
    It provides excellent winter cover and nesting sites for songbirds. Flowers attract bees and butterflies.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer.
    Edibility:
    Poisonous
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from September to October
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant, creamy white urceolate flowers in axillary (growing from an axil) raceme from April to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy, simple, alternate, leathery, rich green leaves that grow on stems that often arch gracefully. Its foliage, tinged with copper-red on new growth, remains green through the winter. Leaves are similar to laurel.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi-stemmed
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Erosion
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Watering of mouth, nose, eyes, later nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, weakness, skin tingling, convulsions
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Andromedotoxin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves